Agenda Item D.1
CPMS DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEM
Meeting Date: September 17, 2024
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Peter Imhof, Planning and Environmental Review Director PREPARED BY: Anne Wells, Advance Planning Manager
SUBJECT: Goleta’s Sphere of Influence
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide feedback and direction on potential changes to the City’s Sphere of Influence.
BACKGROUND:
A Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) is a regional planning and regulatory agency with county -wide jurisdiction, established by State Law, to discourage urban sprawl and to encourage orderly and efficient provision of governmental services, such as water, sewer, fire protection etc. T he LAFCO manages the boundaries of cities and special districts.
The Santa Barbara LAFCO is an 11 -member commission, including three ( 3) city members, three ( 3) County members, three (3) special district members, and two (2) public members. Goleta is a voting member of LAFCO, represented by City Councilmember Kyriaco.
Among other things, LAFCO is required to adopt a Sphere of Influence (SOI) for incorporated cities pursuant to California Government Code (GC) Section 56425 . The Goleta SOI is a plan that defines the probable future physical boundaries and service area of the City. The SOI defines an area within which future annexations to the City may be considered. The process for updating the SOI is established in GC Section 56425 and is initiated by a meeting between the City and representatives from the County to discuss the proposed new boundaries. If an agreement regarding the new boundaries is reached, the City forwards the agreement to LAFCO along with an application to update the SOI.
If LAFCO adopts the SOI, an amendment to the General Plan reflecting the new SOI must occur. Any development approved by the County within the SOI would then be required to be consistent with the terms established in the SOI agreement , as reflected in the General Plan. Factors to be considered by the LAFCO in reviewing SOI requests include present and planned land uses, need for public facilities and services in the area, present capacity of public facilities and services, and social or economic interests. 1 Meeting Date: September 17, 2024
Any future annexation of land into the City limits must include lands that are in the LAFCO- adopted SOI and must be consistent with the City’s General Plan. Annexation applications follow a separate process pursuant to GC Section 56652, including but not limited to an application, fees, environmental review, plans for providing necessary services, property tax exchange resolutions and, in certain circumstances, an approval of the annexation in an election.
When the General Plan was adopted in 2006, Goleta’s Planning Area was established in General Plan Policy CE 12 and mapped on Figure 2 -3 (refer to Attachment 1) . The Planning Area encompasses the city limits and potentially annexable land within its SOI, as well as additional lands where future changes may have impacts within the City. Most of the Goleta Valley from the City of Santa Barbara west to El Capitan St ate Beach is included in the City’s Planning Area.
Adoption of General Plan in 2006 also established the future City Service Area in Figure 2-4 (refer to Attachment 1) . The Future City Service Area is the equivalent of a SOI, subject to the LAFCO approval process. Four areas comprise the Future City Service Area, including the Glen Annie Golf Course area northwest of the City, the North Fairview/Holiday Hill area northeast of the City, a portion of the Hollipat Agricultural Block located to the southeast, and the former Ocean Meadows Golf Course located to the southwest.
In 2009, the LAFCO chose to deny the City’s application to include the Future City Service Area, as mapped in General Plan Figure 2-4, and instead established a SOI coterminous with the ex isting City boundary. Future a nnexation potential was therefore eliminated because property must be located in a SOI to be considered for annexation.
Earlier this year, LAFCO Executive Director Mike Prater initiated a process to discuss the preparation of a SOI boundary Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the County and each incorporated city in Santa Barbara County , including the City of Goleta . The MOA is intended to articulate the commitments of both the County and City and identify the process for evaluating future development. As the facilitator, LAFCO is using the MOA to proactively address issues, clarify intentions, increase the level of trust and coordination between the City and County. To date, staffs from the City of Goleta, the County, and LAFCO have met to discuss a forthcoming MOA , which will be the subject of a future City Council item.
LAFCO is also working on a n update of the Municipal Service Review (MSR), including the Goleta MSR. The MSR is a comprehensive study of the availability, r ange, and performance of governmental services within the region. The MSR, among other things, informs subsequent SOI determinations. LAFCO staff are coordinating the multi -year MSR update with City staff and are nearing the completion of the update effort. In light of the adoption of County Housing Element rezone sites, which allow urbanization of agricultural land on the City’s boundaries, the City expects this MSR update to be informative regarding service capacity impacts and will likely inform any SOI update proposal.
2 Meeting Date: September 17, 2024
DISCUSSION:
In consideration of the pending MOA between the City, County, and LAFCO, and with the pending completion of the MSR update, this item is to allow the City Council to discuss potential changes to the City’s Sphere of Influence and to consider providing staff with direction to reassess Goleta’s SOI. If so directed, staff will proceed with development of an MOA in conjunction with LAFCO and the County and report back . Staff would utilize the MSR, Council direction and recent land use changes in the Goleta Valley to inform possible changes to the General Plan and a SOI that promotes orderly and efficient development and provision of public services by the City to those lands and neighborhoods. Staff would return to Council with opt ions and seek additional direction regarding a future SOI application, potentially followed by an annexation application, for the LAFCO’s consideration.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The fiscal impacts of Council’s direction to re -evaluate the City’s SOI would be the staff time needed conduct the evaluation as well as consultant costs to assist with the analysis and development of possible SOI alternatives for consideration by the Council and a future public meeting. Staff time and related costs for this analysis are not included in the Advance Planning Division Work Program and budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and may necessitate a budget appropriation.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council is under no obligation to reconsider the City’s COI at this time as the City’s has an established SOI which is coterminous with the City boundary.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Megan Garibaldi, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Robert Nisbet, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. General Plan: Policy LU 12 Land Uses in Goleta’s Environs, Figure 2-3 Goleta Planning Area, and Figure 2-4 Potential City of Goleta Service Area 3 Attachment 1
General Plan:
Policy LU 12 Land Use in Goleta’s Environs
Figure 2-3 Goleta Planning Area
Figure 2-4 Potential City of Goleta Service Area
4 Attachment 1: General Plan Policy LU 12: Land use in Goleta’s Environs
Policy LU 12: Land Use In Goleta’s Environs [GP]
Objectives: To identify possible areas for future service delivery and boundary expansion by the City. To influence the amount and character of land use change and development in nearby areas of the Goleta Valley that are not within the city but that may result in impacts inside the city and provide guidance with respect to mitigation of those impacts.
LU 12.1 City of Goleta Planning Area. [GP] The City of Goleta Planning Area, shown on Figure 2-3, extends from the western sphere of influence (SOI) boundary of the City of Santa Barbara in the east to the westernmost boundary of the service area of the Goleta Water District at the El Capitan area to the west. The planning area is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the south and Los Padres National Forest on the north. The planning area includes lands within Goleta; lands within the city of Santa Barbara, including the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport; lands within the UCSB campus subject to the jurisdiction of the University of California Board of Regents and the California Coastal Commission; and a wide array of lands in unincorporated Santa Barbara County, ranging from the densely developed community of Isla Vista to the scenic rural landscapes of the Gaviota Coast. The planning area also includes lands within the jurisdiction of a variety of special districts, including the Goleta Water District, the Goleta Sanitary District, the Goleta West Sanitary District, the Embarcadero Community Services District, the Isla Vista Recreation and Park District, the Santa Barbara County Fire Protection District, the Santa Barbara County Flood Control District, the Metropolitan Transit District, and others.
In addition to the specific guidelines or criteria set forth in subsequent sections of this policy, the following general guidelines shall apply to lands within the planning area that are outside the city boundary:
a. Land use changes and service delivery changes within the planning area shown in Figure 2-3 are likely to have impacts on Goleta and on its residents and businesses. Such changes could affect the ability of the City to fully or effectively achieve the various objectives and purposes set forth in this plan. Consequently, the City has a strong interest in reviewing and commenting on all proposals for change in the Planning Area.
b. The City encourages the various entities with jurisdiction over lands within the Planning Area to refer all proposals for changes to the City for its review and comments. The changes of interest to the City include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Proposals for development of buildings or other structures.
2. Proposals for subdivision of land, including lot line adjustments.
3. Proposals for changes in zoning, including the map of zoning districts and text regulations applicable to the land.
4. Proposed new plans or amendments to existing plans, including community or area plans, specific plans, the Long-Range Development Plan (LRDP) of UCSB, the Santa Barbara Airport Master Plan, resource-related plans, and other similar planning documents.
5 Attachment 1: General Plan Policy LU 12: Land use in Goleta’s Environs
5. Master plans and similar planning documents for services and facilities of special districts.
6. Proposals for annexation of lands.
7. Proposals for acquisition or disposition of real property.
8. Proposals to extend or modify services and/or infrastructure facilities. c. The City encourages that proposals related to the foregoing items be referred to the City at the earliest possible time so that the City’s comments may have a role in helping shape the proposal prior to its being considered for final action in formal hearings or other proceedings.
d. The City encourages that the Lead Agencies pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for projects situated within the Planning Area include the City in their distributions of all CEQA notices for those projects, including, but not limited to, notices of preparation and notices of public scoping meetings.
e. The City shall notify all agencies and governmental entities having jurisdiction within the Planning Area of all City projects or actions that could potentially affect the agency or entity. This shall include notifications regarding the items set forth in section b. above and other notifications as may be requested by the agency or entity.
f. Additional rural lands should not be annexed to the Goleta Water District, Goleta Sanitary District, or the Goleta West Sanitary District. g. Creation of new private service systems for sewer and water in rural areas north and west of Goleta shall be opposed.
LU 12.2 City of Goleta Service Boundary/Potential Sphere of Influence. [GP] Figure 2-4 shows Goleta’s probable ultimate physical boundaries and service area, including boundaries for potential future additions to Goleta’s service area. The subject areas are likely to share an identity as part of the greater Goleta area and in some instances are portions of neighborhoods that are split by present (2006) city boundaries. The following guidelines shall apply to lands within these areas:
a. Planned Land Uses. Figure 2-4 shows the land uses planned by the City within the potential areas that may be added to Goleta’s service area. These land use designations, which are described in Policies LU 2 through LU 7, indicate the City’s intended land uses during the time that such lands remain under the land use control of the County, as well as following any future boundary changes to incorporate such lands within the City.
b. Service Delivery. The City has determined that it has the ability to effectively and efficiently provide municipal-type services to the land areas depicted on the map in Figure 2-4. Further, the City is willing to extend its services to the subject areas, provided that there is interest by area residents in having the City as a primary service provider. In some instances, access to the subject areas is exclusively by streets from within Goleta. In these and other instances, it is likely to be more practical for the City of Goleta to provide services rather than other governmental entities. Urban services (such as sewerage systems) should not be 6 Attachment 1: General Plan Policy LU 12: Land use in Goleta’s Environs extended outside the land areas that are designated for land uses and densities that necessitate such services.
c. Sphere of Influence. The City may prepare a request to the Santa Barbara County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for adoption (or amendment) of a SOI for the City of Goleta that includes all or portions of the lands identified in Figure 2-4. The environmental impact report prepared for this plan has evaluated the potential impacts of the subject area being incorporated into the SOI, including potential impacts of future land use and service changes. d. Future Boundary Changes. The City of Goleta places the highest importance on self-determination by the voters and property owners within the areas identified in Figure 2-4 as to the appropriate governmental organization for the areas. Since some of the areas are “inhabited,” as defined in LAFCo law, any future boundary change would require approval by a majority of the voters within a subject territory. The City encourages property owners and residents within these areas that may be interested in consideration of a boundary change to advise the City at the appropriate time. The City will provide appropriate assistance to help evaluate the merits of possible changes in governmental organization. e. Development Proposals. Following adoption of an SOI for Goleta, the City encourages that any future proposals for urban-type development on lands within the SOI boundary be evaluated to determine if such development should only be considered following any appropriate change in governmental organization for the subject area. These determinations should involve participation by all affected parties, including the City, the County, the affected property owner(s), and any affected residents.
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Union Pacific RR
Cathedral Oaks Rd
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unicipal Airport
Hollister Ave
Glen Annie Rd Cathedra
l Oaks Rd
Storke Rd
Calle Real
Fairview Ave
Phelps Rd
Hollister Ave
Hollister Ave
Calle Real
Mesa Rd
Patterson Ave
La Patera Ln
El Colegio Rd
Los Carneros Rd
Kellogg Ave
Fairview Ave
Goleta Slough
Devereux Slough
Campus Lagoon
Los Carneros
Lake
Rancho Goleta
Lake
Los Padres National Forest
Goleta Pt
Goleta Pier
Coal Oil Pt
Ellwood Pier
El Capitan
State Beach
Pacific Ocean
Figure 2-3
GOLETA PLANNING AREA
GENERAL PLAN/COASTAL LAND USE PLAN
September 2006
Legend
Planning Area
±
0 3,000 6,000
Feet
Goleta Planning Area Boundary
Water District
Goleta Water District
Service Area
UC Regents Owned
k Schools
Other Features
Los Padres National Forest
City of Santa Barbara Sphere (Current)
City of Santa Barbara
Goleta City Boundary
Coastal Zone
Sanitary Districts
Goleta Sanitary
Goleta West Sanitary
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UCSB
Isla Vista
Union Pacific RR
Cathedral Oaks Rd
Old San Jose Creek
Santa Barbara
Municipal Airport
Goleta Slough
Devereux Slough
Campus Lagoon
Los Carneros
Lake
Rancho Goleta
Lake
Hollister Ave
Glen Annie RdCathedral Oaks Rd
Storke Rd
Calle Real
Fairview Ave
Phelps Rd
Hollister Ave
Hollister Ave
Calle Real
Mesa Rd
Patterson Ave
La Patera Ln
El Colegio Rd
Los Carneros Rd
Kellogg Ave
Fairview Ave
Tecolote Creek
San Jose CreekSan Pedro Creek
Glen Annie Creek
Las Vegas Creek
Los Carneros Creek
Winchester Canyon Creek
Atascadero Creek
Ellwood Canyon Creek
El Encanto Creek
San Antonio Creek
Maria Ignacio Creek
Devereux Creek
Bell Canyon Creek
Goleta Pt
Goleta Pier
Coal Oil Pt
Ellwood
Pier
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Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
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Figure 2-4
POTENTIAL CITY OF GOLETA SERVICE AREAS
GENERAL PLAN/COASTAL LAND USE PLAN
November 2009
Legend
Land Use Designations for Future Service Areas
Single Family Residential
Other Features
Coastal Zone
Goleta City Boundary
n Schools
Future Service Area Boundary
Planned Residential
General Commercial
Agriculture
0 1,200 2,400
Feet
Open Space / Passive Recreation
Open Space / Active Recreation
Public / Quasi-public
Amended by Reso. 09-59, 11/17/09
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